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Research finds concussions in sports increasing

Researchers have found concussions are becoming more common among people playing sport in Victoria. The research from the University of Ballarat compared the number of people who were admitted to hospital with head injuries associated with different sports, over the past nine years. But Australian rules footballers in Ballarat say they accept the risks of the game.

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EMILY BOURKE: There's worrying evidence that concussions are becoming more common among people playing sport in Victoria.

Researchers from the University of Ballarat have compared the number of people who were admitted to hospital with head injuries associated with different sports over the past nine years.

It found an increase across most sports.

The findings have renewed calls for more action to guard against head injuries, particularly in Australian Rules football.

From Ballarat, Margaret Paul reports.

(Sound from a football training session)

MARGARET PAUL: It's a Thursday night in Ballarat and the Redan Lions are training for their weekend match.

They're all too aware of the risks of the game but most of them say they're risks they're willing to take.

(To football player) Are you worried about concussions at all?

FOOTBALL PLAYER: Nah not really, I just put my head down and just go in for the ball as hard as I can. If I get hurt, then I'd worry about it.

FOOTBALL PLAYER 2: Oh not really, it comes with the territory. It's a contact sport so that's what happens I suppose.

COACH: All the trainers are trained in head injury or head trauma and our coaches are trained to train the players to avoid head injuries and trauma.

MARGARET PAUL: But research from the University of Ballarat shows concussion in sport is becoming more common.

And Australian Rules football has the highest rate.

The lead researcher is Professor Caroline Finch.

CAROLINE FINCH: The findings tell us that the public perception that there's a problem in sport associated with head injuries is right. We do have a problem and it's one that's increasing over time. That means we've got to do something about it.

MARGARET PAUL: The research compared the number of people who were admitted to hospital and stayed overnight after getting knocked out playing sport.

It found a 60 per cent increase in that figure over nine years.

CAROLINE FINCH: Now part of that increase probably was due to more people playing sport, but even when we account for that, we had over a 30 per cent increase over that nine year period.

MARGARET PAUL: Researchers found more than 80 Australian Rules players suffered head injuries per 100,000.

They also compared which sports had the biggest increase in head injuries.

Roller sports came out on top - over nine years, the number of people with head injuries rose by more than 400 per cent.

In cycling, the figure rose by 62 per cent.

In Australian Rules football, the figure still rose, but only by 8 per cent.

Earlier this year, the AFL hosted a concussions in sport conference, and introduced tougher rules on when players who've been concussed can return to the game.

Some AFL players have taken to wearing helmets but Professor Finch says she doesn't think that's the answer.

CAROLINE FINCH: I think that there needs to be more work done on it and looking at things like the composition of the helmets, the linings, the materials, the impact absorbing surfaces but also looking at other strategies.

My gut feeling is that we will not be able to find the helmet that protects the head against all the impacts that we currently see in our football codes and that that isn't going to be the answer.